Bio-functionalized, elongated hexagonal bi-pyramidal, <i>citrus limetta</i>/ZnO nanostructures as potential photocatalytic and seed germinating agents
Jyoti Gaur, Sanjeev Kumar, Mohinder Pal, Harpreet Kaur, Ramneet Kaur Rana, Kanchan Bala, Prit Pal Singh, Changanamkandath Rajesh, Supreet
Abstract
Abstract In this research, the photocatalytic and seed germination potentials of bio-functionalized, as-synthesized zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were investigated. ZnO NPs were created by reducing zinc acetate hexahydrate with a citrus limetta ( C. limetta ) peel extract. The hexagonal wurtzite crystal was observed in C. limetta /ZnO NPs, with crystallite diameters ranging from 50 to 60 nm and an energy-band gap of 3.08 eV. Fourier-transform infrared spectrum confirmed the presence of phytochemicals from C. limetta on the surface of the resultant ZnO. The unique, elongated hexagonal bi-pyramidal nanostructures were spread evenly across a vast region, as validated by High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscope. The highly porous microstructure of C. limetta /ZnO and its large specific surface area of 80.72 m2 g −1 were established by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis. The catalytic performance of C. limetta /ZnO for the decomposition of the industrial reactive yellow 18 dye (RY18) was examined. Under UV light, RY18 dye could be broken down by more than 98% in 100 min. With a minimal energy consumption of 4.34 × 1022 J mol −1 , the C. limetta /ZnO NPs demonstrated excellent performance (a quantum yield of 1.79 × 10 −4 Ϣ and a figure-of-merit of 2.92 × 10 −10 mol l J −1 g −1 h −1 ). The seed germinating capability of C. limetta /ZnO was investigated first time for the Brassica juncea crop. The germination and development of Brassica juncea seed were greatly enhanced by priming with C limetta/ZnO. Hence, C. limetta /ZnO NPs are identified as photocatalytic and seed-germinating agents with remarkable efficiency.